One Big Ferry

My ferry journey to Alaska begins in Bellingham, Washington. After 5 days on the road and in the car, I was ready for a change of pace and scenery.

It all started out with a bit of confusion. Where do I get my ticket? Where do I put my car? Where can I sleep? How often will I be able to access my car? They don't give you that much info.

Thus, I had to ask someone. Now anyone who knows me knows how much I hate asking strangers questions. Call it shy, call it proud, I just like to figure to figure it out without asking. But the incredibly nice captain/seaman/deckmate guy helped me out.

Once I had more info it was time to explore. The ferry is HUGE! You get lost in all the different levels, lounges, dining rooms, etc. They have 5 levels, a lounging area, dining room, bar, movie theater, outside lounging area, inside lounging area, inside front and back sitting areas, and lots of deck space outside.

I opted not to get a cabin room. They are a little pricey and I am used to sleeping (or not sleeping) in a awkward places like airports, the ground, trains, cars, and very small couches. I can handle it!

My first night began with me sleeping on the deck :)

Out to Sea from Bellingham

Sleeping on the Deck

Fall in the Rainforest

The journey has begun. On Monday I left the beautiful mountains of Montana for the coast of Washington. Along the way the trees were beaming in yellows, reds, and oranges. I might just take up a career following fall around the world. 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE FALL!

Everything gets so lush and green as you drive over the Cascade mountains in Washington. 

I planned a week in Olympic National Park on the coast of Washington before heading up on the ferry. Almost 1 million acres of wilderness including 73 miles of coast, rainforest, rivers, glaciers, and mountains are preserved in Olympic. There are a few roads that skirt around the park, but the only  way to get deep inside the park is on foot.

The Olympic Mountain Range

The trees in the park are BIG. Creek your neck up and drop your jaw. Nothing makes you feel smaller than standing next to these giants.

The park recieves almost 150 inches of rain a year,

 making it the wettest place in the continental United States.

Funky Mushrooms

Overall the weather was great. It was a little chilly, but the sun was out a couple of days.

Cool Mosses

The leaves were stunning! So many shapes, colors, and sizes.

Some were almost as big as me!

In the park you will find some of the world's largest trees. 

World's Largest Spruce Tree

Lots of cool moss....

And the ocean! 

Olympic is yet another beautiful natural place in the world. I am thankful that it was set aside as a National Park and preserved for all to enjoy and seek solitude. 

Next up: The ferry to Alaska. :)

Osprey Falls

The sun is still shining in Yellowstone and the leaves are just falling. This past weekend I went on a lovely hike to Osprey Falls. Not sure why I didn't get to the waterfall sooner. I think it is one of my favorite waterfalls in Yellowstone.

The hike starts out on Swan Lake Flats.

Canadian Geese, stopping over in Yellowstone before heading south.

Yellowstone has not seen a great year for bears. With a few deaths in the park this summer, the park service has been posting these signs to inform people about bears. Makes hiking so comforting.

Beautiful fall colors!

Cool basalt columns

First glimpse of the waterfall.

Green and lush

Osprey Falls

Homeward Bound

Well here I am again waiting for a flight in the airport. Purgatory might be at the airport. Why do they make the seats soooo uncomfortable? Anyway, once I get on my flight, I will return to Montana. I have a month off to pack up all my things (not that I have that much to begin with), and move up to my new home in Denali. And a beautiful home it is. When I return I expect that things will have changed a bit. Things will be a little colder, darker, and snowier.

I have been running errands and being a tourist in Anchorage the past couple of days. The other day I was at the bank and this guy was asking me about living in the park and how that must be strange and what do you do there in the winter? Haha...I told him "I'm about to find out".

Anchorage really is the "big city" of Alaska. Malls, traffic, skyscrapers, Starbucks, bright lights, lots of people. There is some saying about Anchorage that it is so close to being in Alaska. I went shopping and walked around town. And I got my Alaska license! Yup it's official. I'm an Alaskan. And in 2 years the state will pay me to be here (sorta).

I also went to the museum here in Anchorage. The museum is very nice; it features art, history, and native culture exhibits.The history of the state is pretty fascinating. It seems to be inter tangled with the land. The Russians came for the fur.  The gold miners rushed in. Oil was discovered. Natural beauty was/is/continues to be the main attraction and hopefully preserved and kept wild. I am happy that I get to work in one of those beautiful, wild places.

But for now I will take a little time away from Alaska, to appreciate some of those other beautiful places in the world. Back to the lower 48.

"When mountains speak, wise men listen"